Sexual abuse in Illinois youth centers: 95 sue state

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 95 people who claim they were sexually abused as minors at Illinois youth centers. The suit, filed in the Illinois Court of Claims, alleges that the state, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) failed to protect them from sexual abuse by staff. The plaintiffs, now adults, allege abuse by corrections officers, counselors, nurses, and other staff from 1996 to 2017.

"The state of Illinois has caused and permitted a culture of sexual abuse to flourish unabated in its IYC facilities." - Complaint

The complaint further alleges that Illinois has been aware of the issue for decades and that the IDJJ is among the worst in the nation for sexual abuse in youth detention facilities. Jerome Block, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said that his clients were raped and forced to perform sexual acts, and that the Illinois juvenile justice system is broken.

"All of our clients were sexually assaulted in one way or another... Overall, this shows that the Illinois juvenile justice system is broken." - Jerome Block

The IDJJ said it is aware of the lawsuit and takes the safety of youth in its care seriously. They stated that all allegations of staff misconduct are investigated thoroughly and that they have enacted policies to ensure the safety of youth and staff.

Block said that he represents hundreds of people abused at Illinois youth centers and that additional groups of plaintiffs will be filing suits. He added that his clients feel empowered to seek accountability and stand together after suffering in silence.

Each plaintiff is demanding a judgment of $2 million, the jurisdictional maximum.

Sources:

• Illinois youth center staff sexually abused 95 minors for over 20 years, lawsuit says: USA Today